Pulse in the Press: Average GP waiting times

A Pulse survey that revealed that average GP waiting times have exceeded two weeks for the first time ever dominated the news agenda this week.

The survey results appeared as the splash on the Daily Express, on the front pages of The Telegraph and made the top story on The Guardian morning briefing.

The survey was also covered across all the national papers’ – including The Times, The Sun, The Mirror, Daily Mail and Independent. It was also featured across the broadcast media, on numerous BBC bulletins, ITN and Sky broadcasts. The following day, it was the basis of an hour-long Radio 4 You and Yours programme.

The annual survey of 901 GPs across the UK found that the average waiting time for a routine GP appointment is now 15 days. It followed Pulse’s investigation on practice closures that this year featured on the front pages of all the national newspapers.